Lemon Balm

Description
Certified Organic
USDA Organic
Melissa Officinalis
Kosher
Certified Organic by QAI
Herbal Supplement
Non-Irradiated
Lemon balm is a sweet, lemony scented herb in the mint family that’s native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. Its subtle lemon flavor with mint and herb undertones makes it a popular relaxing tea.
Suggested Use
To prepare as a tea, pour 8 oz. boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of herb. Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes, strain and serve immediately.
To make lemon balm tea, pour one cup of hot water over two teaspoons of lemon balm herb, cover and let stand three to five minutes. Boiling water drives off much of the leaves’ essential oil, so using cooler water temperatures when brewing and covering while steeping helps protect the delicate flavor. Lemon balm sun tea is tasty and refreshing and is a good alternative to hot water brewing for protecting the tea flavor.
Lemon balm makes a lovely, soft, lemony tea that is enjoyed just for it flavor. It also has other benefits. It’s relaxing and uplifting to the mind. It makes a soothing before or after meals tea and a calming, before bedtime tea. It’s considered a remedy for the heart charka —helping open one up to love and acceptance. Lemon balm is a nice additional to herbal tea blends, adding a nice touch of flavor as well as its relaxing benefits to the blends.
Lemon balm is also used as a seasoning in sprinkle-on spice mixtures and herb vinegars, or combined with other herbs, fruits, or spices in making punch or flavored wine. Cooking destroys the flavor, so it’s not usually used in cooked dishes or in baking.
In personal care products, lemon balm is used an ingredient in skin toners, lip balms and lotions. It makes a cleansing facial steam and the leaves can be tied in a cloth and added to the bath.
Lemon balm also makes a good addition to sleep pillows in combination with other sleep pillow herbs such as hops, mugwort and lavender flowers.
Warnings
The Botanical Safety Handbook* classifies lemon balm as:
Class:1 Herbs which can be safely consumed when used appropriately.
Per the German Commission E Monograph** for lemon balm, there are no known contraindications, side effects or drug interactions.
Michael McGuffin, ed., American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook, (New York: CRC Press, 1997)
*Mark Blumenthal, ed., The Complete German Commission E Monographs, (Austin TX: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 tsp (1.1 g)
Serving: About 407
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
Sodium 5 g <1%*
Organic Lemon Balm, cut (leaf) 1.1 g *
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
*Daily Value not established.